Khan turned to his brother. “I’m not sure exactly. Do you know?”
Magni wrinkled his forehead like he had just been asked a hard mathematical question that needed critical thinking. “Ehh, I believe she does creative things,” he said.
“What kind of creative things?” Christina asked.
“Ehh, paintings and dancing, and that sort of thing.”
“Can she walk around freely?”
“Yes,” Khan lied.
“What is her name?”
“Laura,” Magni said quickly.
“And what position does Laura hold exactly?” Christina asked Magni.
“She’s my…”
Khan interrupted his brother. “She’s his responsibility. Which means she holds the highest position a woman can have in our society. She’s what we like to call ‘a protected woman.’”
There was a thoughtful expression on her face.
“I see,” Khan said slowly. “You thought we mistreated women, didn’t you?”
“Well, I…” she trailed off.
“Laurachosemy brother as her protector. It was entirely her choice,” Khan assured her. “You see, the way it works is that the few women who are born in our part of the world are treasured by all men, and when they reach their eighteenth year we celebrate them with a big ceremony where the woman chooses her protector among the strongest and bravest of our men.”
“Do you have a female you protect?” Christina asked Khan.
“No.” He shifted his balance and pinned his dark eyes on her. “I never participate in those selections – it wouldn’t be fair to my men, as my title alone would make every woman choose me.”
The skeptical expression on Christina’s face made me wish I could read her mind.
“So, what are you suggesting?” she asked.
“That you choose a protector for yourself so we can get you to work.” He smiled innocently.
“Fine.” She nodded and turned her head to look straight at me. “I choose you then?”
Flames shot up my spine and I felt a little dizzy but Khan chuckled and drew back her attention. “I’m afraid it’s not that easy. I can’t just announce that you’ve chosen Boulder. Other men would complain that they didn’t get a chance to prove themselves worthy. There needs to be a ceremony.”
Biting her lip, Christina’s eyes darted around the room. “And how long will this ceremony take?”
“A few days at least.”
“A few days? Why that long?”
“Because this sort of thing needs preparation and it takes time for the men to prove themselves.”
Christina sighed. “And how exactly do they do that?”
“They fight,” he said matter-of-factly and pointed to me. “Boulder, I appoint you as her temporary protector. Make sure she’s comfortable and safe,” he said and got up to leave.
“Wait a minute, I don’t want anyone to fight over me,” she objected and got up from her seat.
Khan turned to face her with his brows dropped low. “How else would you know which man is the strongest and who will be most suited to keep you safe?”
